Mid-October in Edmonton – we are past the peak of autumn foliage color and in fact a good swath of the river valley has taken on the grey color of bare trees. However there are still a few trees fulled enrobed in gold or red and a few (somehow) holding onto green leaves. What I like best about this season though, is how my senses get attuned to more subtle colors. I see and appreciate things besides colors (like lines and textures) which I would not have even noticed just a few weeks back.

Here are a few photo taken while I was out walking in Edmonton’s river valley (in Dawson Park) on the morning of 2017 October 16th.

Edmonton has been called River City and I do like that nickname. Even though many or most cities and towns developed around rivers (or other waterways), I do have to believe our river is special – it is more defining of the city. The valley is deep and sharp. It doesn’t sneak up on you like other places. Here, you know when you have dropped into or climbed out of, our river valley; and when you are in it you can often forget that you are in the City itself.

I am always happy when I see our river getting a lot of use and appreciation. So last Saturday (2015 October 10) seeing lots of boats on the river (not to mention the beauty of the autumn colors), brought a smile to my face.